Govt blocks Israeli shipping firm's vessels from docking in M'sia

The government will not allow vessels from Israeli shipping company ZIM to dock in any Malaysian port.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the ban also extends to any vessels flying the Israeli flag.

Further, any ships that are headed for Israel are also barred from loading cargo from Malaysian ports.

The restrictions come into effect immediately.

This comes ahead of plans for a ZIM ship to dock in Port Klang on Dec 26.

In a statement today, Anwar said the block was in response to the Israeli government's violation of human rights and international laws in their continued assault on Palestinians.

He explained that the government first allowed ZIM ships to dock in Malaysia in 2002.

This was then expanded to permission to go ashore in 2005.

"However, the government today decided to cancel the previous cabinet decisions," he said.

Anwar expressed confidence that the latest decision will not have an impact on Malaysia's trade activities.

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